Paint brush clip

ABSTRACT

A paint brush handle with a clip adapted to attach the paint brush to a side of a paint can, bucket, or similar container. An L-shaped clip extends from a side of the handle body; this L-shaped clip is adapted or configured to removably attach to a side of a paint can, bucket, or similar container. The L-shaped clip allows the paint brush to be suspended over a paint can, bucket, or similar container, so that any excess paint on the brush drains into the paint can and not onto any undesirable area, such as the floor or paint brush handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/007,125, filed Apr. 8, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present general inventive concept relates to a clip for a paint brush that is used for attachment of the brush to a paint can, bucket, or similar container.

BACKGROUND

Wooden handled paint brushes, and, more recently, paint brushes having handles made of other materials, have been used in the painting industry for many years to provide a tool for professionals or consumers to perform quality painting jobs on their various projects. Although painters have at times considered the paint brush to be a disposable item, as the quality and price of paint brushes has risen, there has been a need to care for and extend the life of the paint brush by keeping it relatively clean during use and keeping the paint off the handle area.

Some prior art approaches have provided tools and systems that allow the paintbrush to be attached directly to the paint can or bucket by using various straps or attachment material. However, such approaches suffer from lack of ease of use, and relatively high cost.

For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2017/0311709 and 2018/0325255 disclose an improved paintbrush with an integrated clip. The integrated clip rotates, and when not in use does not hinder the user. The design allows for a user to use the paintbrush unfettered until the user desires to hang the paintbrush for storage or drying. When the user desires to use the clip, it is rotated from within the paint brush handle to the position of use. When the user desires to utilized the paintbrush for painting, the clip can be stored within the paintbrush handle in a manner where is does not interfere.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,124,624 discloses a paint container that includes a bracket that is rotatably fixed to the container and is configured to allow an object (e.g., paint brush) to be releasably fixed thereto. The bracket can include a first bracket member and a second bracket member that extends at an angle from the first bracket member. The bracket is fixed to the container such that the bracket is rotatable to at least partially extending within the interior of the container and to fully extend above the container. At least one magnet can fixed to the bracket to secure the object thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,051,952 discloses a brush hanging system for efficiently and safely hanging a brush from another object such as a paint can. The brush hanging system generally includes a brush such as a paint brush. The brush includes a groove formed within the body of the brush, such as on its handle or any other position other than its bristles. A hanger rod is pivotally connected within the groove, with the hanger rod being adapted to selectively engage or disengage with the rim of an object such as a paint can. When extended, the hanger rod engages with the rim to removably secure the brush against the object. When retracted, the hanger rod is completely positioned within the groove in a flush or recessed configuration. Both the groove and hanger rod each comprise distinct segments which ensure that the hanger rod may pivot within the groove and engage with the rim.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,021,966 discloses a paint brush with a modified handle, which features a handle that is elongated in comparison to a conventional paint brush, and provides hooks for hanging the brush on the rim of a paint can. The lower end of the handle provides a threaded socket for affixing the brush on the end of a painting pole, enabling quick and easy touch-ups of any spots high above the floor or scaffold that were missed.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,351,561 discloses a multipurpose brush mechanism featuring an attachment and retainer mechanism to provide ease of use and effective storage for professional painters and consumers alike. The attachment mechanism includes an embedded hook which may be removably attached and may utilize numerous clip mechanisms and magnetic attraction members. The brush functions as an ordinary paint brush but the magnetic attachments allow it hang inside a paint can, or on any other accessory. The multifunctional hook can also allow for easy storage when the project is completed.

An easier, less expensive and more convenient approach to attach the paint brush to the paint can or bucket would be desirable.

SUMMARY

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a paint bucket clip is provided, comprising a solid clip body, configured to attach a paint brush and to a paint can or other container; an extensible band; a pair of T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions integral to the solid clip body, the pair of T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions configured such that the band is attachable to each of the T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions and around a handle of the paint brush, to removably attach the clip to the paint brush handle; and a generally L-shaped extension also integral to the solid clip body which is configured to conform to the shape of the top rim of the paint brush can or other container and provides an attachment point on the solid clip body to the paint brush can or other container, and wherein one of the pair of T-shape extensions includes at least one lip at its distal portion, the at least one lip configured to hold the band securely in place on the solid clip body, and the other of the pair of T-shape extensions has no lip at either of its distal portions, so that the band is configured to be easily removable from this other of the pair of T-shape extensions.

According to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a paint brush having an integrated clip for attaching to the side of a container includes a paint brush handle, said handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being proximate bristles of said paint brush, said handle having a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and an L-shaped clip extending from a side of said handle, said L-shaped clip being adapted to removably attach to a side of a container.

In some embodiments, said L-shaped clip includes a connector segment and an extender segment, said connector segment having a first end in contact with said handle and a second end in contact with said extender segment, said connector segment having an axis extending between said first end and said second end, said extender segment having a connection end in contact with said second end of said connector segment and a protrusion end opposite said connection end, said extender segment having an axis extending between said connection end and said protrusion end, the axis of said connector segment being substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, and said extender segment being substantially orthogonal to said connector segment.

In some embodiments, the axis of said extender segment is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said handle.

Some embodiments further comprising a mechanism in contact with said first end of said connector segment, said mechanism adapted to enable the rotation of said L-shaped clip about the axis extending between said first end and said second end of said connector segment.

In some embodiments, said mechanism is recessed within said handle.

In some embodiments, said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from wood.

In some embodiments, said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from a plastic material.

Other features and aspects may be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following example embodiments are representative of example techniques and structures designed to carry out the objects of the present general inventive concept, but the present general inventive concept is not limited to these example embodiments. In the accompanying drawings and illustrations, the sizes and relative sizes, shapes, and qualities of lines, entities, and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. A wide variety of additional embodiments will be more readily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description of the example embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paint bucket clip according to example embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is an alternative view of the paint bucket clip according to example embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a paint bucket clip attached to a paint brush handle according to example embodiments of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept with a clip that is integral with the paint brush handle; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example embodiment of FIG. 4 in use with a paint can.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and illustrations. The example embodiments are described herein in order to explain the present general inventive concept by referring to the figures.

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modification, and equivalents of the structures and fabrication techniques described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of fabrication operations described are merely examples, however, and the sequence type of operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, description of well-known functions and constructions may be simplified and/or omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Note that spatially relative terms, such as “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over or rotated, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Turning to the Figures, according to various example embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a paint bucket clip 10 is provided that may be used to suspend a paint brush over a paint can, bucket, or similar container, so that any excess paint on the brush drains into the paint can and not onto any undesirable area, such as the floor or paint brush handle. Also, part of the inventive concept of the paint bucket clip 10 is an extensible or stretchable band, for example, an O-ring, rubber band, or a wire, etc., (not shown in the figures), that is used to attach the solid clip body 15 to a paint brush handle. Although the term “paint brush” is used in most of the descriptions herein, it is understood that various embodiments of the present general inventive concept may be used with other types of painting devices, such as sponges and pads.

In one embodiment, illustrated generally in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the solid clip body 15 contains two laterally opposed T-shaped extensions 11 and 12 which are integral to the solid clip body 15. These T-shaped extensions 11 and 12 may hold the band in place as it is wrapped around the paint brush handle, in order to hold the solid clip body 15 securely onto the handle. One of the T-shaped extensions 11 may have openings 13 under the top portion of the T which are larger than the cross section of the band, in order to allow one end of the band to be removable, for example when releasing the solid clip body 15 from the paint brush handle. In some embodiments, this opening 13 may be square shaped.

One of the T-shaped extensions 12 may have openings 14 under the top portion of the T which are the same size or smaller than the cross section of the band, in order to allow the band to be generally locked into place on the solid clip body 15, in order to keep the band secured to the solid clip body 15 and prevent the band from getting inadvertently detached and lost during usage. Additionally, the solid clip body 15 may contain one or more lips 16 at the distal portion of the openings 14 under the top portion of the T which are further configured to keep the band secured to the solid clip body 15 and prevent the band from getting inadvertently detached and lost during usage.

In some embodiments of the present general inventive concept, a generally L-shaped extension 17 is integral to the solid clip body 15, and may be at the opposite end of the solid clip body 15 from the T-shaped extensions 11 and 12. This L-shaped extension 17 is configured to conform to the shape of the top rim of the paint brush can or other container which holds the paint and provides an attachment point to removably hold the paint brush, with paint bucket clip 10 attached, onto the container. Such a system may allow for residual paint on the brush to drain into the container rather than onto the paint brush handle, floor, or other unintended location.

The method of use of the paint bucket clip 10 may consist of the following steps. Prior to beginning using the paint brush, the user may attach the solid clip body 15 onto the paint brush handle using the band. In one embodiment one end of the band will be already securely attached to the openings 14 under the top portion of a T extension. The user may then wrap the band around the paint brush handle and attach the other end of the band to the other openings 13 under the top portion of a T extension. The solid clip body 15 will then be securely, but removably, attached to the paint brush handle, and will remain there during the painting process. During breaks in painting, or during limited storage of the paint brush, the user may then hang the paint brush from the paint bucket or other container by placing the L-shaped extension 17 of the solid clip body 15 onto the rim of the paint bucket or other container. In some embodiments, the L-shaped extension 17 should generally be pointing in the direction of the paint brush bristles and away from the handle, in order to allow for proper drainage of the paint while the paint brush and paint bucket clip 10 are suspended over the paint bucket. Once the painting process is complete or during more permanent storage of the painting supplies, the user may remove the paint bucket clip 10 from the paint bucket clip by releasing the band from the solid clip body 15 at the openings 13 of the solid clip body 15 T extension.

FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of the present general inventive concept. A perspective view of the paint bucket clip 10 without the band attached is shown. At the foreground of the image, a pair of T-shaped extensions 11 and 12 are shown as part of the solid clip body 15. The top T-shaped extension 11 has a pair of openings 13 connected to, and in this case, under the top portion of the T. These openings 13 are generally larger than the cross section of the band, in order to allow one end of the band to be removable. In the image of FIG. 1, the openings 13 are square-shaped, although other shapes are also possible. The bottom T-shaped extension 12 also has a pair of openings 14 connected to, and in this case, on top of the top portion of the T. The openings 14 may be the same size or smaller than the cross section of the band in order to keep the band secured to the solid clip body 15 and prevent the band from getting inadvertently detached and lost during usage. Also shown on the solid clip body 15 are one or more lips 16 at the distal portions of the openings 14 which are further configured to keep the band secured to the solid clip body 15. In the image of FIG. 1, the openings 14 are circular-shaped, although other shapes are also possible. The L-shaped extension 17 is shown, which is configured to conform to the shape of the top rim of the paint brush can or other container, and provides an attachment point to removably hold the paint brush, with paint bucket clip 10 attached, onto the container.

FIG. 2 shows a different perspective of the paint bucket clip 10. The T-shaped extension 12 is shown at the top of the figure. Also shown are the pair of openings 14 connected to, and in this case, underneath the top portion of the T. In the foreground is shown the L-shaped extension 17, which is configured to conform to the shape of the top rim of the paint brush can or other container. This image shows the various components including the T-shaped extension 12. Also shown more clearly in this view are the one or more lips 16 at the distal portions of the openings 14, which are further configured to keep the band secured to the solid clip body 15.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the paint bucket clip 10 shown attached to a paint brush 20. The L-shaped extension 17 is shown pointing in the direction of the paint brush bristles 24 and away from the handle 22, in order to allow for proper drainage of the paint while the paint brush 20 and paint bucket clip 10 are suspended over the paint bucket or other container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a paint brush 30 with an integrated clip 37 for attaching to the side of a container. The handle 32 of the paint brush 30 includes a proximal end 33 a and a distal end 33 b, with the proximal end 33 a being proximate the bristles 34 of said paint brush 30. A longitudinal axis of the handle 32 extends between the proximal end 33 a and the distal end 33 b. An L-shaped clip 37 extends from a side of the handle body; this L-shaped clip 37 is adapted or configured to removably attach to a side of a paint can, bucket, or similar container. In the illustrated example embodiment, the L-shaped clip 37 includes a connector segment 38 and an extender segment 39. The connector segment 38 has a first end in contact with said handle 32 and a second end in contact with said extender segment 39, said connector segment having an axis extending between said first end and said second end. The extender segment 39 has a connection end in contact with said second end of said connector segment 38 and a protrusion end opposite said connection end, said extender segment 39 having an axis extending between said connection end and said protrusion end. In the illustrated example embodiment and in most embodiments of the present general inventive concept, the axis of the connector segment 38 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle 32, and the extender segment 39 is substantially orthogonal to the connector segment 38.

The L-shaped clip 37 allows the paint brush 30 to be suspended over a paint can, bucket, or similar container, so that any excess paint on the brush drains into the paint can and not onto any undesirable area, such as the floor or paint brush handle. FIG. 5 shows the example embodiment illustrated generally in FIG. 4 in use with a paint can, showing the paint brush 30 removably attached by the L-shaped clip 37 to the side of the paint can 40, allowing any excess paint on the brush 30 to drain into the interior 42 of the paint can 40.

In some example embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the axis of the extender segment 39 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said handle 30. In some alternate embodiments (not shown in the Figures), the paint brush further comprising a mechanism adapted to enable the rotation of said L-shaped clip about the axis extending between said first end and said second end of said connector segment. That is, the L-shaped clip rotates to allow adjustment of the angle of the paint brush 30 with respect to the side of the container to which the paint brush 30 is removably attached. In some embodiments, this rotation-enabling mechanism is recessed within said handle.

In some embodiments, the handle and the L-shaped clip are fabricated from wood. In some embodiments, the handle and the L-shaped clip are fabricated from a plastic material. Other workable materials and combinations of materials will be recognized by those of skill in the art and are also contemplated by the present general inventive concept and within the scope of the present general inventive concept.

Additional features and embodiments of the present general inventive concept will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure, and describe some, but not all, possible embodiments of the present inventive concept. Various additional components and features could be chosen using sound engineering judgement to achieve the same or similar results. 

1. A paint brush attachment device, comprising: a solid clip body, configured to attach a paint brush to a paint can or other container; an extensible band; a pair of T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions integral to the solid clip body, the pair of T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions configured such that the band is attachable to each of the T-shaped and laterally opposed extensions and around a handle of the paint brush, to removably attach the clip to the paint brush handle; and a generally L-shaped extension integral to the solid clip body, which is configured to conform to the shape of the top rim of the paint brush can or other container and provides an attachment point on the solid clip to the paint brush can or other container.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the pair of T-shaped extensions includes at least one lip at its distal portion, the at least one lip configured to hold the band securely in place on the solid clip body, and the other of the pair of T-shape and laterally opposed extensions has no lip at either of its distal portions, so that the band is configured to be easily removable from this other of the pair of T-shape and laterally opposed extensions.
 3. A paint brush having an integrated clip for attaching to the side of a container, comprising: a paint brush handle, said handle having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being proximate bristles of said paint brush, said handle having a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and an L-shaped clip extending from a side of said handle, said L-shaped clip being adapted to removably attach to a side of a container.
 4. The paint brush of claim 3 wherein said L-shaped clip includes a connector segment and an extender segment, said connector segment having a first end in contact with said handle and a second end in contact with said extender segment, said connector segment having an axis extending between said first end and said second end, said extender segment having a connection end in contact with said second end of said connector segment and a protrusion end opposite said connection end, said extender segment having an axis extending between said connection end and said protrusion end, the axis of said connector segment being substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, and said extender segment being substantially orthogonal to said connector segment.
 5. The paint brush of claim 4 wherein the axis of said extender segment is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said handle.
 6. The paint brush of claim 4 further comprising a mechanism in contact with said first end of said connector segment, said mechanism adapted to enable the rotation of said L-shaped clip about the axis extending between said first end and said second end of said connector segment.
 7. The paint brush of claim 6 wherein said mechanism is recessed within said handle.
 8. The paint brush of claim 6 wherein said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from wood.
 9. The paint brush of claim 6 wherein said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from a plastic material.
 10. The paint brush of claim 3 wherein said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from wood.
 11. The paint brush of claim 3 wherein said handle and said L-shaped clip are fabricated from a plastic material. 